Method and system of affixing a plaque to a solid surface

ABSTRACT

A method and system of affixing a plaque to a solid surface is provided. The method includes the steps of providing at least one opening in a face of the solid surface and inserting a plaque support into the at least one opening. The plaque support includes a body defining a passageway therethrough and having a first end and a second end. The first end has a flange portion. Further, at least one outer tab member extends radially outward toward the first end and at least one inner tab member extends radially inward toward the second end. The outer tab member engages the solid surface upon insertion of the plaque support into the at least one opening. The method and system further include providing the plaque with at least one installation fastener. The at least one installation fastener is inserted into the passageway of the plaque support, such that the at least one inner tab member engages the at least one installation fastener.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/116,376, filed Nov. 20, 2008, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for affixing a plaque to asolid surface and, more particularly, to a method for securing a bronzememorial plate to a granite shutter panel.

Description of Related Art

Plaques are commonly secured to the front of a mausoleum crypt,columbarium, or niche to memorialize a deceased person. For instance, abronze memorial may be attached to the face of a granite shutter.Typically, the plaque or memorial includes two or more threaded studsthat are inserted through bores drilled through the granite shutter. Thethreaded studs extend through the bore beyond the rear surface of theshutter. Washers are placed over the threaded studs and engage the rearsurface of the shutter. Nuts are then typically threaded onto thethreaded studs to engage the washers and secure the plaque to the faceof the granite shutter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a method of affixing a plaque to a solid surface isprovided. The method includes the steps of providing at least oneopening in a face of the solid surface and inserting a plaque supportinto the at least one opening. The plaque support includes a bodydefining a passageway therethrough and having a first end and a secondend. The first end has a flange portion. Further, at least one outer tabmember extends radially outward toward the first end and at least oneinner tab member extends radially inward toward the second end. Theouter tab member engages the solid surface upon insertion of the plaquesupport into the at least one opening. The method further includes thesteps of providing the plaque with at least one installation fastenerand inserting the at least one installation fastener into the passagewayof the plaque support such that the at least one inner tab memberengages the at least one installation fastener.

The second end may have at least one lead tab extending radially inward.Further, the at least one lead tab may engage at least one installationfastener upon insertion of at least one installation fastener into thepassageway of the plaque support. The flange portion of the plaquesupport may have an outer diameter larger than the diameter of theopening. The installation fastener may comprise a plurality of threads,such that, when it is inserted into the plaque support, at least oneinner tab member engages at least one thread of the plurality ofthreads.

The opening in a face of the solid surface may be provided by drillingthe opening. Additionally, the plaque support can be inserted into theopening by applying force to the first end of the plaque support. Theplaque support may comprise steel or high carbon spring steel.Additionally, the flange portion of the plaque support may engage a faceof the solid surface.

The installation fastener may be provided with the plaque by providingan opening on a mounting surface of the plaque, wherein the installationfastener is inserted into the opening. In one embodiment, theinstallation fastener may comprise a plurality of threads, and theopening on the mounting surface of plaque may comprise a threadedopening, wherein the installation fastener is threadably secured to theopening.

In another embodiment, the mounting surface of the plaque may comprise acircumferential lip. The circumferential lip may surround a recessedarea, which is defined by the mounting surface. Additionally, a boss maybe provided on the recessed area having a threaded opening forthreadably securing the installation fastener thereto.

In another embodiment, a system for affixing a plaque to a solid surfaceis provided. The plaque support includes a body defining a passagewaytherethrough and having a first end and a second end. The first end hasa flange portion. Further, at least one outer tab member extendsradially outward toward the first end and at least one inner tab memberextends radially inward toward the second end. The outer tab memberengages the solid surface upon insertion of the plaque support into theat least one opening. The system also includes a plaque and aninstallation fastener for inserting into the passageway of the plaquesupport. The installation fastener is secured to the plaque, and theinner tab member engages the installation fastener when the fastener isinserted into the passageway of the plaque support. The plaque maycomprise a mounting surface comprising at least one opening, wherein theinstallation fastener is inserted into the opening. Additionally, themounting surface may comprise a circumferential lip surrounding arecessed area, which is defined by the mounting surface. Additionally,the mounting surface may comprise a boss which defines a threadedopening, and an installation fastener comprising a plurality of threadsthat may be threadably secured to the threaded opening of the boss.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a plaque support according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the plaque support shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the plaque support shown in FIG. 1taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first step in a method of affixing aplaque to a solid surface according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the step of FIG. 4, showing theplaque support of FIG. 1 inserted into an opening of the solid surface;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second step in the method of FIG. 4,showing a mounting surface of the plaque;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a third step in the method of FIG.4, showing the plaque being aligned with the solid surface;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth step in the method of FIG.4, showing the plaque secured to the solid surface; and

FIG. 9 is a detail view of the cross-section shown in FIG. 8.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial orientation terms,if used, shall relate to the referenced embodiment as it is oriented inthe accompanying drawing figures or otherwise described in the followingdetailed description. However, it is to be understood that theembodiments described hereinafter may assume many alternative variationsand embodiments. It is also to be understood that the specific devicesand methods illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures anddescribed herein are simply exemplary and should not be considered aslimiting.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a plaque support 10, for use in a method ofaffixing a plaque to a solid surface, includes a cylindrical body 12defining a passageway 15 therethrough. The plaque support 10 has a firstend 20 and a second end 25. A slot 29 extends longitudinally from thefirst end 20 to the second end 25. The first end 20 has a flange portion22 extending from the cylindrical body 12 and the second end 25 has atleast one lead tab 27 extending radially inward, i.e., toward thepassageway 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the plaque support 10 includes fivelead tabs 27 extending from the second end 25. The cylindrical body 12also includes at least one outer tab member 30 extending radiallyoutward toward the first end 20 and at least one inner tab member 35extending radially inward toward the second end 25. As shown in FIG. 2,the plaque support 10 includes ten outer tabs 30 and three inner tabs35. The plaque support 10 may be constructed of steel, in particular,high carbon spring steel. Any other suitable material, however, may beused for the plaque support 10.

Referring to FIGS. 4-9, one embodiment of a method for affixing a plaqueto a solid surface is disclosed.

As shown in FIG. 4, a solid surface 40 is provided having a first face42 and a second face 44. The solid surface 40 has two openings 46 in thefirst face 42. In certain embodiments, the solid surface 40 is graniteand the openings 46 are provided by drilling the first face 42 of thesolid surface 40. Two plaque supports 10, as described above and shownin FIGS. 1-3, are inserted into each of the openings 46. Although theopenings 46, as shown in FIG. 5, extend through the solid surface 40from the first face 42 to the second face 44, the openings 46 may beprovided, such that they only extend a portion of the way into the solidsurface 40. During insertion of the plaque supports 10 into the openings46, the outer tabs 30 of the plaque support 10 engage the portion of thesolid surface 40 defining the opening 46. Because the outer tabs 30extend radially outward toward the first end 20 of the plaque support10, the outer tabs 30 allow movement in a forward direction, i.e., wherethe first end 20 is trailing, but substantially prevent movement in arearward direction, i.e., where the second end 25 is trailing.

Further, due to the engagement of the outer tabs 30 with the solidsurface 40, the insertion of the plaque supports 10 into the openings 46may need to be assisted by using a rubber mallet (not shown) or othersuitable tool. For example, a rubber mallet may be used to apply a forceto the first end 20 of the plaque support 10, thereby forcing the plaquesupport 10 into the opening 46. The outer tabs 30 may be plastically orelastically deformed during insertion of the plaque support 10 into theopening 46. The flange portion 22 of the plaque support 10 has an outerdiameter larger than the diameter of the opening 46, such that theflange portion 22 engages the first face 42 of the solid surface 40 toprevent the plaque support 10 from extending all of the way through theopening 46 during subsequent steps discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a plaque 50 is provided having a displaysurface 52 and a mounting surface 55. In certain embodiments, the plaque50 is a bronze memorial having ornamentation or other display indicia onthe display surface 52. The mounting surface 55 of the plaque 50 definesa recessed area 57 surrounded by a circumferential lip 59. The recessedarea 57 includes two bosses 62 each having a threaded opening 64. Asshown in FIG. 6, a pair of installation fasteners 70 is threadablysecured to the threaded openings 64. The plaque 50 with the installationfasteners 70 is then positioned, as shown in FIG. 7, so that theinstallation fasteners 70 are aligned with the respective passageways 15of the plaque supports 10.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the installation fasteners 70 secured to theplaque 50 are then inserted into the passageway 15 of the plaque support10. After the installation fasteners 70 are completely inserted into thepassageway 15, such that the bosses 62 engage the first end 20 of theplaque support 10, the circumferential lip 59 on the mounting surface 55of the plaque 50 abuts the first surface 42 of the solid surface 40. Asshown more clearly in FIG. 9, the inner tabs 35 and the lead tabs 27 ofthe plaque support 10 engage the installation fastener 70. Inparticular, the inner tabs 35 and the lead tabs 27 of the plaque support10 engage the threads of the installation fastener 70. The inner tabmember 35 and the lead tabs 27 extend radially inward away from thefirst end 20 of the plaque support 10, thereby allowing displacement ofthe installation fastener 70 in a forward direction, i.e., displacementfrom the first end 20 to the second end 25, but substantially preventingdisplacement of the installation fastener 70 in a rearward direction,i.e., displacement from the second end 25 to the first end 20.Accordingly, the plaque support 10 is secured within the opening 46 inthe solid surface 40 via the outer tabs 30 through installationfasteners 70 and plaque 50 is secured through installation fasteners 70to the plaque support 10 via the lead tabs 27 and the inner tabs 35.Therefore, the method, as described above, enables the plaque 50 to beaffixed to the solid surface 40 in a simple and reliable manner withoutrequiring access to a second or rear face 44 of the solid surface 40.

Although the method was shown in FIGS. 1-9 and described above using aparticular number of plaque supports 10, openings 46, bosses 62, andinstallation fasteners 70, the method may employ one or more plaquesupports 10 and a corresponding number of installation fasteners 70secured to the plaque 50 to affix the plaque 50 to the solid surface 40.Furthermore, although the method was described with reference tosecuring bronze memorials to granite surfaces, the method may be used tosecure any object to any solid surface. For example, the method may beused to affix architectural elements to a stone, brick, or other type ofbuilding surface.

While several embodiments of a method for affixing a plaque to a solidsurface were described in the foregoing detailed description, thoseskilled in the art may make modifications and alterations to theseembodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to beillustrative rather than restrictive.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for affixing a plaque to a solidsurface having at least one opening comprising: a plaque support forinserting into an opening on a face of the solid surface, the plaquesupport comprising: a body having a first end and a second end, a flangeportion positioned at the first end of the body and configured to engagea face of the solid surface and a boss on a mounting surface of theplaque, at least one outer tab member, partially cut from the body,extending radially outward toward the first end, and at least one innertab member, partially cut from the body, extending radially inwardtoward the second end, wherein the at least one outer tab member engagesthe solid surface when the plaque support is inserted into the at leastone opening; and at least one installation fastener for inserting intothe plaque support.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end ofsaid plaque support has at least one lead tab extending radially inward.3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one lead tab engages theat least one installation fastener upon insertion of the at least oneinstallation fastener into the passageway of the plaque support.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the flange portion of the plaque support hasan outer diameter larger than the diameter of the opening.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the at least one installation fastener comprises aplurality of threads such that the at least one inner tab member engagesat least one thread of said plurality of threads.
 6. The system of claim1, wherein the mounting surface comprises at least one opening, whereinthe at least one installation fastener is inserted into the at least oneopening.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the mounting surfacecomprises a circumferential lip, wherein the circumferential lipsurrounds a recessed area defined by the mounting surface.
 8. The systemof claim 5, wherein the boss defines a threaded opening and theinstallation fastener is threadably secured to the threaded opening ofsaid boss.